Can I use RCS on iOS 18

Carrier Support for RCS

To use RCS on iOS 18, your mobile carrier must support it. Major U.S. carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have confirmed support for RCS on iPhones running iOS 18[1][2]. If you are using a different carrier, you will need to check if they support RCS. You can verify this by:

1. Opening Settings.
2. Tapping General.
3. Selecting About.
4. Tapping on Carrier to see if it lists "Voice, SMS & RCS" or just "Voice & SMS"[1][2].

How to Enable RCS on Your iPhone

If your carrier supports RCS, follow these steps to enable it:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on Apps.
3. Select Messages.
4. Look for the RCS Messaging option under Text Messaging and toggle it on[1][3].

Limitations of RCS on iOS

While RCS significantly improves messaging between iPhone and Android users, it does not provide end-to-end encryption for messages sent between these platforms at this time[1]. Additionally, conversations with other iPhone users will continue to use iMessage, which remains exclusive to Apple devices and is indicated by blue message bubbles, while messages to Android users will appear as green bubbles due to the nature of RCS[4][5].

Conclusion

In summary, you can indeed use RCS on iOS 18 if your carrier supports it. This integration marks a substantial improvement in cross-platform communication, making interactions between iPhone and Android users more seamless and engaging.

Citations:
[1] https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-18-everything-you-should-know-about-rcs-messaging-on-your-iphone/
[2] https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to-switch-on-rcs-messaging-in-ios-18
[3] https://sinch.com/blog/rcs-ios-18/
[4] https://www.infobip.com/blog/apple-rcs
[5] https://cpaas.webex.com/blog/rcs-ios-18
[6] https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/16/24194362/rcs-iphone-ios-18-preview
[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/1fi86hx/today_rcs_arrives_on_ios_18_great_so_will_i_be/
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErmzzpmntIw

How do I check if my carrier supports RCS on iOS 18

To check if your carrier supports Rich Communication Services (RCS) on iOS 18, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on General.
3. Select About.
4. Tap on Carrier.

After tapping on Carrier, the label will change to IMS Status, where you can see details about messaging support. If your carrier supports RCS, it will display Voice, SMS & RCS. If it does not support RCS, you will see only Voice & SMS[1][3][5].

If you do not see the option for RCS in the settings under Messages, it's an indication that your carrier currently does not support this feature. Major U.S. carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have confirmed RCS support for iPhones running iOS 18, while smaller or regional carriers may vary in their support[1][4][5].

For further confirmation, you can also check Apple's updated list of carriers that support RCS on their Wireless Carrier Support page[3][5].

Citations:
[1] https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-18-everything-you-should-know-about-rcs-messaging-on-your-iphone/
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBiGsTZga8s
[3] https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/16/heres-how-to-check-if-your-carrier-already-supports-rcs-on-iphone/
[4] https://www.redmondpie.com/check-if-ios-18-iphone-rcs-messages-feature-works-on-your-network-carrier-heres-how/
[5] https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/can-you-get-rcs-messaging-on-your-iphone-heres-how-to-find-out-and-enable-it-in-ios-18
[6] https://bgr.com/tech/ios-18-how-to-check-if-your-carrier-supports-rcs-on-iphone/
[7] https://sinch.com/blog/rcs-ios-18/
[8] https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to-switch-on-rcs-messaging-in-ios-18

How do I enable RCS messaging on my iPhone running iOS 18

To enable Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging on your iPhone running iOS 18, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and select Apps.
3. Tap on Messages.
4. Look for the RCS Messaging option under the Text Messaging section.
5. Toggle RCS Messaging to the on position if it is not already enabled.

If you do not see the RCS Messaging option, it indicates that your carrier does not support RCS for iPhones yet. Major U.S. carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have confirmed support for RCS on iPhones running iOS 18, so if you are with one of these carriers, you should be able to enable it without issues[1][2][4].

RCS messaging enhances your texting experience by allowing high-quality media sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and improved group messaging capabilities when communicating with Android users[2][4]. However, keep in mind that RCS messages will still appear in green bubbles, and they are not end-to-end encrypted on iPhones[1][5].